Outdoor Lighting Design Techniques

The first step in THE ILLUMINATORS design process is to ask "Why light?" An outdoor lighting system can focus on safety, security, property value, budget, enhancement of the beauty of the landscape, or a combination of these points. Our experienced design team uses several techniques to accomplish these goals. For example, up-lighting a tree near the house entrance will provide safety and security, or strategically placing a few spotlights within a garden will provide aesthetic enhancement. Low levels of light create subtle beauty, illuminating points such as paths and gardens. Brighter lighting effects are used for focal points within the landscaping. For example, down lighting placed within a tall tree must be bright enough to cast "moonlighting" shadows in the surrounding area. Our design engineers know how much light is needed to create the desired effects and can implement this knowledge into your lighting design.

The following examples are just a few of the various design techniques we use:

Silhouetting

Displays a dark image of the object by lighting the vertical surface directly behind it.
This technique shows the shape but not the color or texture of an object.

Examples

Shadowing

Creates a shadow on a vertical surface by placing the fixture directly in front of the object.
The closer the light fixture to the object, the larger the shadow.

Examples

Tree Up Lighting

Up-lights are placed at the base of the tree.
This creates a dramatic effect and highlights the features and color of the tree.

Examples

Tree Down Lighting

Down-lights are placed within the tree.
This creates a moonlight effect.

Examples

Path Lighting

Creates symmetrical patterns and pools of light for illuminating walkways, steps, flowerbeds, and gardens.
Allows for safe navigation and enhances the beauty around the property.

Examples

Step and Deck Lighting

Light up normally dangerous high traffic areas.
All changes in elevation landscape such as steps or terraces should be illuminated for safety.

Examples

Grazing

Enhances the texture of a vertical surface by placing a fixture directly against the surface and aiming the beam up.
This technique really highlights the architectural beauty and causes stunning effects.

Examples

Good Ideas

LED outdoor landscape lighting is the safest form of outdoor lighting. LED landscape lighting produces very little heat compared to normal halogen landscape lighting. The LED lighting fixture is only slightly warm to the touch where as halogen 12 volt landscape lights can cause severe burns to people if touched.

It is a good idea to have your existing outdoor landscape lighting system professionally maintained 1 - 2 times a year to protect your original investment and to prevent service issues over time.

LED bulb replacement is almost non-existent. LED landscape lighting bulbs are rated to last 25,000 - 70,000 hours depending on the manufacturer. Normal 12V halogen bulbs are usually rated between 1,000 - 10,000 hours.